Candidates often tend to experience moments of anxiety as they prepare for transitional examinations or assessments that are considered to have an impact on their progression, career choices and/or placement in subsequent levels or even in the job market.

This is no exception for the 2022 candidates.

 It is not lost that the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted learning thereby occasioning a rescheduling of the school calendar.

 Campaigns for the electioneering period that just concluded recently also did not allow to have a flawless learning calendar. 

That as it may be, in about two months, all candidates who registered for the examinations at the Basic Education level will be expected to sit for their national examinations.

The candidates comprise the pioneer cohort of learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum, which was rolled out in January 2019. 

Learners, now in Grade Six, will sit for their national summative assessment from November 28-30.

During the same period, the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education candidates will concurrently sit for their national examinations. 

The 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education cohort will also sit for examinations between November and 21-December 23.

As the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), we have put all requisite measures in place and will maintain the multi-agency approach to deliver credible examinations.

  Indeed, we look forward to a successful administration and management of the examinations, as our goal is to transform lives through quality assessment and credible certification. 

Apart from teachers and the general public, candidates are Knec’s direct customers, who through sitting for assessments and examinations their career paths for the future are defined.

With just a handful of days remaining days before the start of examinations, Knec takes this opportunity to implore all registered candidates to utilise the remaining time well, to prepare adequately for the upcoming examinations.

To ensure the delivery of a credible examination, candidates need to maintain honesty, integrity and ethics during examination administration by following all laid down rules and regulations.

The best practice to achieve a credible examination starts with how one prepares throughout the learning period. Adequate preparations are key to one gaining confidence while in the examination room.

 Do not fall prey to unscrupulous persons enticing you to take the route of examination malpractices.

Adequate revision of what you have been learning is all you need to do because examinations are set from the approved syllabus, which you have covered in the process of learning with your teachers.

Further, it is important for a candidate to maintain a positive outlook on life in general, including while taking examinations. 

A positive mindset as one goes in for their examinations can boost one’s confidence. Just tell yourself that it is going to be alright and plan to be at peace with the outcome! A positive mindset will improve your chances, so why not develop one?

Remember this is the time to consult on topics or questions that appear difficult to you.

A well-prepared candidate gets their deserved results while those who resort to unorthodox means during examinations often stare at results cancellation.

Finally, do not be part of the examination ‘cheats’ and risk having your results cancelled.  Do your best and walk out proud of yourself, because cheating always has a big price to pay.

— The writer  is a Public Communications Officer at the Kenya National Examinations Council